The Tauranga resident - real name Terry Leaming - is hitch-hiking to Dunedin this week to bless the Forsyth Barr Stadium and help out the Highlanders with a bit of on-field promotion.
And, after hearing news of Otago rugby's $2 million debt crisis, he has rolled into action with a last-ditch bid to save the union from extinction.
"New Zealand rugby without Otago? That's like Hori Bop without a pie in his mouth," the 170kg Leaming said.
"Otago is a vital part of New Zealand rugby and the whole country has got to get behind them to make sure they stay a part of it.
"We just can't allow them to fold. The NZRU and the rugby community have got to step up and save our southerners."
Leaming left Tauranga on Tuesday with a collection bucket and a hitching thumb that hasn't been used in 30 years.
He'll stop in Wellington, fly to Christchurch, then continue his hitch to get to Dunedin in time for Saturday night's match between the Highlanders and Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Though he remains a committed Bay of Plenty supporter, Leaming has a lot of sympathy for Otago's plight.
"Bay of Plenty loaned Otago the use of our blue and gold colours all those years ago so there's a deep connection there."
The trip was about "sharing the love with our southern cuzzies," he said.
"We love to beat... them on the pitch but off the pitch, we've got to stick together."
- by Jamie Troughton/DScribe Journalism.
